| I thought this should be a necessity for all Halloween
sites. These are tips on how to keep your children safe when they go
trick or treating. Let's face it. We all wish that parents could
be worry free sending their little ones off on Halloween night, but these
days it just isn't a good idea. So aside from the major tip that parents
should always go with their kids trick or treating or at least a responsible
adult, here are a few others that I found in books and magazines (my notes
are in parathesis):
Tips
1. Make sure costumes are hemmed so kids don't trip.
2. Stick retroreflective tape and stickers to costumes and goody bags so
children are easy to spot in the dark. (Note: I'm sure a lot of kids don't
want them on their costumes, but the trick or treat bag is a good idea.
Probably nowadays you could even find some neat halloween stickers
that glow...I'm sure the kiddies would find those fun! :)
3. Use flashlights when trick or treating in the dark.
4. If possible, use face paint instead of a mask so a child's vision is not
obstructed. (Quick note: You may also want to tell the kiddies to take off
or lift up their mask when walking down the street, and only wear them when
they get to a house.)
5. Remind children to obey everyday street-crossing rules.
6. Instruct kids not to cut across yards, where lawn decorations or other
hazards can't be seen.
7. Remove breakable or dangerous items, such as flowerpots, tools, and ladders,
from your walkway, porch, and front yard.
8. Make sure your children wait til they get home before they eat any of
their candy. It's always good to inspect the candy first.
9. Dress children only in shoes that fit. Walking in too-large shoes
makes falling likely. (Also, my own quick note. Not shoes that are
too small. You don't want your child to have blisters for a week...trust
me I know ;o) and, I personally wouldn't recommend walking in just socks,
stockings, or bare feet either. We wouldn't wnat your child a victim
of a piece of broken glass or rusty nail.)
10. Choose costumes (and beards, wigs, make-up etc) that are marked "flame
retardent".
11. Establish an agreed-upon trick or treat route in your neighborhood.
Make sure kids only visit homes where porches or outside lights are
illuminated.
12. And last but certainly not least, my own Halloween rule that I consider
VERY important. Make sure that your child (no matter what the age) doesn't
go out alone. Lone children are easy targets for shadow lurkers (we
all know the kind). Here's an easy rule to remember: the younger the
child the more kids in the group. Perhaps try to set something up with
other parents in your neighborhood, so kids can get together and trick or
treat in a group. |
